With most teams, reflection requires more time. It's usually dangerous to try to place a group's accomplishments in historical perspective immediately after a season ends, because emotions can cloud judgment and people tend to overreact to what they have just seen.

But for the 2009-10 Baylor Bears, there was no need to wait to decide where they fit.

“When you break all the records,” coach Scott Drew said, “that's a pretty good legacy.”

The Bears' dream-like run through the postseason ended with a 78-71 loss to Duke in the South Regional finals at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, but their legacy was secure.

Seven years after Baylor was mired in scandal and ineptitude, the Bears won more games (28) than any team in the program's history. They finished tied for second in the Big 12 — the best they had ever fared in that conference. And most importantly, they won their first three NCAA Tournament games since 1950.

For each of the players, but especially seniors Tweety Carter and Josh Lomers, the disappointment of Sunday's loss failed to diminish the significance of what they had helped rebuild at Baylor.

“We stuck through,” Carter said. “We stuck through everything, and did everything we could to get Baylor where it is.”

Even without Carter and Lomers, the Bears should be one of the favorites in the Big 12 next season, when they will be led by guard LaceDarius Dunn, who ranked second in the Big 12 in scoring this season and was one of the stars of the postseason.

He vowed Sunday night to carry on what Carter started.

“I'm going to miss Tweety, most definitely,” Dunn said. “But that just means I've got to take my game to another level.”

Dunn, a junior, said he has no interest in declaring for the NBA draft and will “definitely” be back at Baylor for his senior season.

“No doubt,” Dunn said. “I don't need to test any waters.”

Dunn, generously listed at 6-4 with no point-guard experience, is not considered a first-round prospect. Teammate Ekpe Udoh, on the other hand, has been hailed by scouts as a possible lottery pick if he chooses to declare for this year's draft.

Udoh, a 6-10 junior forward, declined to comment about his future after Sunday's game. But Baylor coach Scott Drew said he will talk to Udoh about his options in the next few days, and Drew said he doesn't expect Udoh to rush his decision.

With Udoh, Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones, the Bears would have three solid veterans on their front line, which will get even better with the arrival of the highest-rated recruit in school history. Perry Jones, a 6-10 McDonald's All-American from Duncanville, is listed among the top five national recruits by ESPNU, Scout.com and Rivals.

In the backcourt, freshman A.J. Walton is set to replace Carter at point guard alongside Dunn. The Bears also have signed Bakari Turner, a 6-3 shooting guard from Plano West who is rated as the nation's No. 59 prospect by ESPNU.